Release Date:

2026-04-17

# Quickly Determining Whether a Floor Drain Is Made of 201 or 304 Stainless Steel (Simple and Practical) 1. **Check the Price and Appearance** - 304 floor drains are significantly more expensive, with a soft, even, and uniform sheen; 201 drains tend to look duller and cooler white, and some have rougher workmanship. Genuine 304 products usually feature a laser-etched “304” marking, whereas 201 drains rarely have such markings—or the markings may be fake. 2. **Test with a Magnet (For a Preliminary Assessment)** - Authentic 304 stainless steel is essentially non-magnetic or only slightly magnetic; a magnet will not stick. In contrast, 201 stainless steel is strongly magnetic, and a magnet will adhere noticeably. However, this method provides only a rough distinction and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. 3. **Use Stainless Steel Testing Solution (The Most Accurate Method—Recommended for Home Use)** - Purchase a stainless steel testing solution online and apply a few drops to the surface of the floor drain: - For 304: No color change or only a slight discoloration. - For 201: Rapidly turns deep reddish-brown or black. - Results are available in just a few tens of seconds, making this the most reliable home-testing method. 4. **Observe Rust Resistance** - After prolonged use in the humid environment of a bathroom: - 304 remains rust-free and shows no yellow staining. - 201 quickly develops rust spots, yellow stains, and blackening. 5. **Compare Scratch Marks** - 304 has excellent ductility, leaving fine, smooth scratches; 201 is harder and more brittle, resulting in obvious white scratches that are prone to oxidation and discoloration over time. For the most reliable results, simply use a stainless steel testing solution—it costs only a few yuan and can accurately tell you which type you’re dealing with.